menu_open Columnists
Ezgi Akin

Ezgi Akin

Al Monitor

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Turkey to send Mecca pact to parliament, opening path to Saudi deployment

Parliamentary ratification will remove a legal hurdle for Turkish military deployment to Saudi Arabia under a trilateral defense pact.

yesterday 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey, Pakistan to deploy forces to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

Turkish, Saudi and Pakistani officials agreed to bolster military cooperation under the Mecca defense pact as Houthi attacks and fighting in Yemen...

monday 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan hold 'emergency meeting' amid Houthi escalation

Turkish, Saudi and Pakistani officials met in Riyadh under the Mecca defense pact as Houthi attacks and fighting in Yemen intensify.

monday 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey mine collapse death toll rises to five: What to know

Authorities have detained nine people including executives of the mining company on suspicion of negligence.

02.10.2026 6

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey-Greece cable dispute hits impasse as Ankara insists on prior coordination

Turkey and Greece are increasingly at an impasse over the Great Sea Interconnector project, which aims to link the power grids of Greece and Cyprus...

01.10.2026 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey to receive first 2 C-130J aircraft in December under $730M UK deal

The aircraft are part of a 12-plane procurement deal from the United Kingdom as Ankara seeks to rapidly modernize its aging air fleet.

01.10.2026 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey bans T24 news site as dissent crackdown widens: What to know

Turkish authorities cited alleged LGBTQ propaganda for the ruling against the independent news website.

30.09.2026 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey seizes Iran’s Caspian Airlines jet over $3.4M debt

The court-ordered seizure at Istanbul Airport comes as Iranian carriers face mounting pressure from sweeping new US aviation sanctions.

30.09.2026 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Lebanon seeks Turkey’s help to join Syria-Saudi rail link: What to know

Beirut is seeking Ankara’s support to link its ports to a railway project aiming to link Turkey to the Gulf, through Syria and Jordan.

29.09.2026 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey widens $18B fund probe as fallout hits ruling party, free speech

More than 50 people have been detained in connection with the investigation into the fund scandal, the ruling party’s deputy chair has resigned, and...

28.09.2026 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey warns Greece-Cyprus-Israel power cable needs Ankara's approval

The Greece-Cyprus-Israel undersea power project has again stirred tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey deployed warships during survey...

24.09.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey agrees to hand over contentious Bashiqa base to Iraq

The planned handover of the Bashiqa base would address one of the most contentious issues in Ankara-Baghdad ties, while the two sides also discussed...

23.09.2026 6

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey, US sign $2M grant deal for small nuclear reactors: What to know

The new cooperation deal comes as Ankara seeks to expand nuclear power and reduce reliance on Russia.

22.09.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey, US resume F-16 talks ahead of expected Trump-Erdogan meeting

The issue is returning to US-Turkey talks as Ankara races to modernize its air force amid expanding fifth-generation fleets in the region.

21.09.2026 9

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Fueled by regional rivalries, Algeria severs diplomatic ties with UAE

Algiers accused Abu Dhabi of increasingly “provocative and hostile actions” after years of friction over Morocco, Western Sahara and competing...

10.09.2026 9

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s defense giants court Egypt at Alamein Airshow: What to know

Three leading Turkish defense companies are participating in the El Alamein Airshow as Ankara seeks new sales and closer military-industrial...

09.09.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Russia to give Turkey preferential fertilizer access amid Hormuz supply crunch

Ankara is expected to secure easier access to Russian fertilizer exports as the Iran war disrupts supplies from key Gulf producers.

08.09.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Top EU court says Kavala case exposes erosion of judicial independence in Turkey

Europe's top human rights court has renewed its call for Turkey to immediately release jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala, saying his imprisonment...

25.08.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Kurdish peace process moves to implementation: What to know and what’s next

Turkey’s peace process with Kurdish militants has entered the implementation phase this week, with authorities setting up working groups to verify...

25.08.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey seeks Interpol Red Notices for Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla

The Turkish government’s Interpol move comes amid heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel over Syria.

21.08.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey signals restraint as war of words with Israel escalates over Syria

The Turkish president’s top communications aide says Ankara will not be drawn into the Israeli government's “games” as Washington pushes a...

20.08.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Sudan ramps up Saudi Arabia, Turkey contacts amid growing Red Sea cooperation

Sudanese officials held parallel talks in Riyadh and Ankara as Saudi Arabia and Turkey deepen security cooperation around the Red Sea and fighting...

17.08.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Fidan heads to Libya as US-backed unification push gathers pace

The Turkish foreign minister will hold talks in both Tripoli and Benghazi as Ankara seeks to preserve its military, maritime, energy and commercial...

11.08.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan heads to Saudi Arabia for talks with MBS, Pakistan’s Sharif

The visit comes as the three countries ramp up coordination to weather the regional fallout from the Iran war.

06.08.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s defense exports reach record $5.79B in first 7 months of 2026

The country’s defense and aviation exports have risen to $11.2 billion over the last 12 months, according to Turkey's defense industry agency.

04.08.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

What’s behind Turkey’s latest wave of arrests against opposition mayors?

The operations come as Ozgur Ozel’s newly formed party gains momentum.

31.07.2026 40

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey ready to participate in post-UNIFIL force in Lebanon, Erdogan tells Aoun

Aoun paid a one-day visit to Ankara amid Lebanon's push to secure an Israeli withdrawal and end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

30.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Meet Khalida Boufedech, the first woman to lead Algeria’s parliament

Khalida Boufedech became Algeria’s first woman parliament speaker and the highest-ranking woman to hold constitutional office in the country’s...

29.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Erdogan hosts Zaidi, touts ‘historic step’ in Turkey-Iraq energy ties

The Turkish president outlined Ankara’s priorities with the new Iraqi government during the Iraqi leader’s first visit to Turkey: security, energy...

28.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Top ally of Turkey’s Erdogan backs state funding for Ozel’s breakaway party

Devlet Bahceli’s suggestion exposes a more nuanced position within the country’s governing alliance over the ongoing legal crackdown against...

23.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel could launch new party by August

Ozgur Ozel’s remarks on a potential new party came as the legal crackdown on the main opposition widened further this week with the arrest and...

15.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Russian couple faces deportation from Turkey after Bible reading at Hagia Sophia

The couple were detained after reading from the Bible inside the Istanbul landmark, which remains one of Christianity’s most important historic...

15.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey, Egypt expand military ties with cooperation frameworks: What to know

Increasing defense cooperation between Ankara and Cairo comes as Turkey seeks to offset the expanding Greek-Cypriot-Israeli alignment in the Eastern...

13.07.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

In first, Russia confirms S-400 talks with Turkey amid transfer reports to acquire F-35

On Friday, the Kremlin spokesperson provided the first confirmation that Turkey and Russia have held discussions about Ankara's efforts to resolve the...

10.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey brokers intra-Somalia talks as federal rifts test Ankara’s influence

Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland and Jubaland states reportedly declined to join the talks, as Ankara is ramping up efforts to shore up support...

09.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Trump says US will lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey, consider F-35 sale

The US president has announced that sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missile batteries will be lifted.

07.07.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkish jets strike al-Shabab targets in Somalia: What to know

A Somali Defense Ministry statement initially said Turkish F-16s carried out strikes on Al-Shabab targets before a later version referred only to...

01.07.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey, Azerbaijan slam Israel’s Armenian genocide recognition as Yerevan mum

Ankara accused Israel of weaponizing history as Armenia avoided public comment amid delicate regional diplomacy.

29.06.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar

The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown.

23.06.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey captures alleged ISIS-K media chief near Afghanistan-Pakistan border

The capture comes as Turkish authorities intensify raids against Islamic State networks following recent attacks and alleged plots.

17.06.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan meets Orthodox patriarch amid push for reopening Halki Seminary

The meeting comes ahead of US President Trump’s expected attendance at next month's NATO leaders’ summit in Turkey, after Trump personally urged...

16.06.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Fidan heads to Moscow as S-400 sanctions issue returns to fore

The visit comes weeks before Turkey hosts NATO leaders, on the sidelines of which Ankara hopes to reach a deal with Washington over CAATSA sanctions...

15.06.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Greek PM Mitsotakis offers rare nod to Ataturk in Turkey amid maritime row

In a rare reference to Ataturk, a divisive figure in Greece, the Greek premier reaffirmed his commitment to dialogue. 

12.02.2026 60

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Erdogan taps Istanbul prosecutor as justice minister in cabinet reshuffle

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday appointed Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akin Gurlek, who has been overseeing the ongoing...

11.02.2026 60

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey, Saudi Arabia ink deal for production of Gokbey helicopters

The deal comes amid advanced talks on Riyadh joining Ankara’s KAAN fighter jet program.

11.02.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Fidan: Iran nuclear breakout could drag Turkey into regional arms race

The top Turkish diplomat said an Iranian nuclear breakout could push Ankara into a nuclear race but declined to say whether Turkey would pursue its...

10.02.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Prince William to begin Saudi Arabia visit overshadowed by Epstein scandal

Britain's Prince William will begin Monday his first official visit to Saudi Arabia, aimed at deepening economic cooperation but already overshadowed...

09.02.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Sudanese nomads trapped as war fuels banditry and ethnic splits

By Eltayeb SiddigNEAR AL-OBEID, Sudan, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Gubara al-Basheer and his family used to traverse Sudan's desert with their camels and ...

09.02.2026 40

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Arms production to air defense: Inside $350M Egypt-Turkey military pact

Ankara and Cairo's military framework agreement goes beyond arms sales, reflecting a gradual strategic convergence that includes intelligence sharing...

09.02.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey arrests two over alleged Mossad espionage ties: What to know

Prosecutors accuse the suspects of providing intelligence for more than a decade, including technical data on communications equipment and...

06.02.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin